Signor of one-half to william h



(No Model.) I

W. A. DE CAINDRY.

ENVELOPE OPENER.

N0 252,930. Patented Jan. 31,1882.

NrrEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. DE OAINDRY, OF WASHINGTO N,D ISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AS- SIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO l/VILLIAM H. PEARCE, OF SAME PLACE.

ENVELOPE-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 252,930, dated January 31, 1882. Application filed November 4, 1881. (No model.)

I all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. DE CAIN- DRY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing zit-Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelope-Openers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side view of my improved device. Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same The instrument is designed primarily for opening envelopes; but it may be utilized to cut the uncut leaves of books or paper that has been folded, doubled, 850. Its preferred form is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A thin strip of metal, A, or other suitable material, similar to an ordinary paper-folder, is recessed near one end to form a cuttingedge, a. The edge is preferablycurved; buteXperiencc-has proved that a recessed edge formed within an obtuse angle instead of a curve will give the effect sought. The forming of an edge within the described curve or angle facilitates the ready o adjustment of the edge to a'proper cuttingaa' gle when inserted in the fold or crease, giving a draw-cut at almost any angle of insertion. The curvature especially allows an easy and natural movement of the instrument, and, 5 combined with the (lulled point, obviates the tendency of the blade to cut through and become disengaged before the full length of the fold or crease is traversed. By recessing the blade as described the extreme end or point of the cutting-edge acts as a hook and serves as an interior guide, by which the crease is followed and the blade prevented from being easily disengaged by cutting through and clear of the paper. To prevent the point from easily cutting through or perforating the paper, it is dulled or blunted, as shown in Fig. 2 at a. It is preferred to round the back of the blade, as shown, to facilitate insertion under the flap of the envelope.

As before stated, the preferred form of the edge is curved; but an edge formed within an obtuse-angled-recess instead of a curved recess, and having a projecting dull pointat the extremity of the edge, will answer very well.

It is obvious that the strip or blade may be inserted in a handle for convenience, it desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

An envelope-opener provided with an elastic blade having a recessed cutting edge and a dull point, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' WM. A. DE OAISDRY.

Witnesses:

CHAS. T. ELDRIDGE, F. M. MORAN. 

